Cycle Trail gets $20,000 boost from Bruce and Shelley Miller

June 22nd, 2012

Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust representative Darryl Wilson receives the $20,000 cheque from Bruce and Shelley Miller

Cycle trail fundraising team the 'Coastal $800k Group', based in Motueka, is celebrating a boost to its efforts by welcoming its first "1 kilometre club" member.

The owners of New World Motueka, Bruce and Shelley Miller, are also busy parents and a community-spirited couple that support and recognise the potential benefits Tasman's Great Taste Trail offers the local economy.

Their donation will pay for a 1km section of the trail around the proposed bridge over the Riwaka River.

"We appreciate the employment and growth opportunities in tourism, plus safe cycling for families and commuters as an extra bonus, which encouraged us to get behind the Cycle Trail initiative," they said in a press release.

The Coastal $800k Group's fundraising focus is on raising money to assist in the development of Stage two of Tasman's Great Taste Trail - this being the section of trail from Mapua to Kaitereteri. This section of trail will open up Tasman's scenic coastal route, servicing the annual summer population swell and fuelling the life-blood of many coastal businesses.

It is predicted that this activity will also provide increased summer employment and livelihood opportunities to artists, accommodation services, vineyards, craft breweries, restaurants and retail businesses alike and provide a leisurely conduit joining Able Tasman National Park to Nelson.

Subject to further construction estimates resulting from ongoing land ownership negotiations, the fundraising group's $800,000 target will be used to enhance the trails to Kaitereteri and the existing off-road trail from Riverside Café in Lower Moutere along the Motueka waterfront to Riwaka School, taking the work Keep Motueka Beautiful and local community groups have already completed to 'NZ Great Ride' standard.

The Tasman District Council funding confirmation announced last month assures an off-road trail from Mapua to Motueka and Kaitereteri, as a Grade 3 standard by June 2013.

The need for extra funding to upgrade the trail to 'NZ Great Ride' standard has prompted locals to get behind the project. Geoff Milnes and John Kerridge of Milnes Beatson Accountants are at the core of the Coastal $800k Group's fundraising effort.

"The Ministry of Economic Development NZ Cycle Trails Project comes to a close in December 2012," said Mr. Kerridge. "And it has offered a further $150,000 boost to previously secured funding if we can come up with $50,000 for the bridge connecting Riwaka to the Kaitereteri road.

"So with this generous donation from Bruce and Shelley Miller we are almost half way to reaching that particular target."
Once the entire section of trail from Nelson to Kaiteriteri is completed it will bring in a estimated 28,000 cyclists per year, generating $20 million for the local economy.

Individuals, businesses or groups can help by purchasing their own $40 section of Virtual Trail. If they do so, they receive a certificate with their section's GPS co-ordinates confirmed. This certificate enables the owner to retain the virtual rights to that section of trail forever.

Buy a section of virtual trail at Motueka I-SITE, any NBS branch, Coppins, Perry Auto Motors Mapua, the Flat Bottom Ferry, any bike shop and all Sprig & Ferns. You can also buy online at www.heartofbiking.org.nz or reserve a length of trail on a time payment basis.

The Coastal $800k Group is also looking for willing hands to assist in the marketing, promotions and fundraising efforts. Contact Fiona Newey at .

John Kerridge, Bruce Miller, Shelley Miller and Darryl Wilson

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